Devil May Cry is based off from a highly acclaimed video game series by Capcom. It wasn’t till in 2007 where Madhouse Studios produced the 12-episode anime adaptation. With themes of action, horror and supernatural, the anime television series was directed by Shin Itagaki together with Bingo Morihashi, one of the writers for the second, third and fourth sequel of the video game. Aside from the special cast from Madhouse Studios, Toshiki Inoue (series composer), Kenichi Kawamura (unit director), Hisashi Abe (character design and chief animation director), Katsushi Aoki (art director) and Masahiro Kawamura (prop design) worked together on the anime television series. The anime debuted on June 2007 across several TV networks all across Japan including the WOWOW Channel. On September of the same year, the anime ended with 12 action-packed episodes. It wasn’t till on June of 2007 when ADV Films announced they had the licensing rights of the anime which was later transferred to Funimation Entertainment in the following year. It made its way into North American Television Networks on September 2010.
Devil May Cry follows Dante, a well-renowned demon hunter. As a half-demon, half human, he is endowed with great physical strength and impeccable speed and reflexes than your average human being. Dante owns a devil hunting business named “Devil May Cry”, a local demon-hunting business whilst struggling to keep the business afloat despite being at constant financial debt. Since his business is buried under debt, he doesn’t have the luxury or the choice to turn down a quest that comes through his office so long as they pay good money. His agent, Morrison, who on occasion brings him several unusual cases, has given him his latest assignment: to protect the young Patty Lowe while she receives her inheritance. Together with his trusty huge sword the “Rebellion” and his twin pistol guns, the “Ebony” and “Ivory”, he easily dispatches the demons out to kill Patty Lowe. Upon completion of his mission, he later discovers that Patty will be staying with him – indefinitely. Now, he must not only deal with demons that disrupt his mission, he must coexist with other demon hunters all the while protecting a young girl at every turn. Will Dante be able to be at his best condition during missions or will he be distracted over the deadweight of protecting a young girl?
Prior to the release of the first episode, teaser-trailers were released and made public by the studio. The first one was posted on its official website which showed the pre-production artwork of Dante, the game and anime’s main protagonist. The second trailer was released at the 2007 Tokyo International Anime Fair which featured actual animation from the anime show all the while it included both character and cast list for the show.
